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So I replace my diesel Audi (173 g/km CO2) with a diesel Kia (135g/km CO2)
Here's the thing. The Audi did 55 mpg, the Kia does about 42 mpg.
The tax man rewards me with a much better tax code as it's based on CO2 alone, yet I know I'm using more fuel, therefore it's only a paper-gain for the environment. The net result is I'm still killing the planet, but am slightly better off whilst I'm doing it.
Seems flawed.
BTW, if anyone wants to join me in a Kia Sportage gushing session, feel free!
My wifes' car does 35mpg and the tax is £425.00
My car does (at best) 25mpg and the tax is £207.50
Thats incorrect if it's a company car. Your tax is Based on co2 and p11d value of the car not just co2.
It has a big difference if your taxed at 40% or 22% and your car takes you into the 40% bracket.
Yes, I know that, Chris, but the CO2 determines the percentage of the list price; both cars have a similar list price hence less tax liability.
My point was that I've ticked the "aren't I green" box, with no nett gain to the environment.
Of course it's flawed. However they can't properly test cars for fuel economy, cos there are so many factors involved. So they come up with a standard test and the manufacturers can fiddle it.
However I'd be surprised if a diesel Kia was that uneconomical in the long run once it's loosened up properly. How long have you had it?
Those KIA look good, but at 135 co2 is it the 2wd 1.7? I'd be interested to know how it goes. What Audi were you running?
Just ordered a sd4 evoque when it comes.
Your right molgrips, it is ultimately flawed. Look at volvo, the new D3 is 132 co2 yet the D5 2.4 is only 129. It's across the board though when you drill down.
It's amazing virtually every csr I was looking at, by the time I'd done the maths and included for all the extras, there was very little to choose tax wise between about 5 different motors I was looking at.
Maybe they could measure the weight, drag coefficient, rolling resistance, and fuel efficiency of the engine in lab tests, then combine those figures to get an estimate?
Or maybe just better tests...
Times are a changing when a man goes from an audi to a kia* and gets no stick from the stw massif! 🙂
I do like the new soul and sportage actually 🙂
I'm about to change from an old Passat B6 Tdi to a new B7, the CO2 is going from 156gms to 120gms/km, which is going to save me £135 a month. Neat,eh?
Let me know what real-world figures you get from that new Passat, I'm quite curious.